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NTSB Report
July 12, 1987 · Balloon Works Firefly 7 · N1505F
Springfield, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Springfield, MI
Aircraft
Balloon Works Firefly 7
Tail Number
N1505F
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI87LA167
TWO HOT AIR BALLOONS WERE INVOLVED IN A MIDAIR COLLISION DURING A SANCTIONED BALLOON COMPETITION. N40363 WAS ABLE TO RETAIN CONTROL AND LANDED UNEVENTFULLY. N1505F PARTIALLY DEFLATED AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL TO THE GROUND. WITNESSES STATED THAT N40363 WAS THE HIGHER OF THE TWO BALLOONS AND APPEARED TO BE DESCENDING. N1505F WAS RISING AND MOVING OVER THE GROUND AT A FASTER RATE. THE GONDOLA OF N40363 CONTACTED THE ENVELOPE OF N1505F AND RIPPED A PORTION OF THE FABRIC. THE PILOT/PASSENGER OF N1505F REPORTED THAT THE PILOT, UPON CONTACT WITH N40363, PULLED THE EMERGENCY RIP PANEL, TURNED OFF THE PROPANE, AND BEGAN TO PREPARE FOR A HARD LANDING. BOTH PILOTS CLAIMED THE OTHER PILOT HAD VIOLATED CONTEST GUIDELINES.
Full Narrative
TWO HOT AIR BALLOONS WERE INVOLVED IN A MIDAIR COLLISION DURING A SANCTIONED BALLOON COMPETITION. N40363 WAS ABLE TO RETAIN CONTROL AND LANDED UNEVENTFULLY. N1505F PARTIALLY DEFLATED AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL TO THE GROUND. WITNESSES STATED THAT N40363 WAS THE HIGHER OF THE TWO BALLOONS AND APPEARED TO BE DESCENDING. N1505F WAS RISING AND MOVING OVER THE GROUND AT A FASTER RATE. THE GONDOLA OF N40363 CONTACTED THE ENVELOPE OF N1505F AND RIPPED A PORTION OF THE FABRIC. THE PILOT/PASSENGER OF N1505F REPORTED THAT THE PILOT, UPON CONTACT WITH N40363, PULLED THE EMERGENCY RIP PANEL, TURNED OFF THE PROPANE, AND BEGAN TO PREPARE FOR A HARD LANDING. BOTH PILOTS CLAIMED THE OTHER PILOT HAD VIOLATED CONTEST GUIDELINES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBalloon Works Firefly 7
Tail NumberN1505F
Aircraft CategoryBall
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines0
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown | Unknown
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Crew 2None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 10 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:45
Weather SourceWFAC